2025 Acura RDX vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2025 Acura RDX was positioned between the smaller ADX and the larger MDX in Acura's lineup, offering a range of packages like Technology, A-Spec, Advance, or A-Spec Advance. It featured a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive, with prices ranging from $44,700 to $52,450, excluding a $1,350 destination charge. The A-Spec Advance model, priced at $56,400, showcased a refreshed design with a frameless grille, new wheel designs, and paint colors like Sonic Silver and Urban Gray Pearl. The A-Spec treatment added a sportier look with gloss black accents and a finned rear diffuser, while the Advance package included full leather upholstery and a panoramic glass sunroof. The interior boasted ambient lighting, premium materials, and a mix of leather and simulated suede, though the red-marked gauges on a silver background were harder to read.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold design that polarized opinions, especially with its flat, wide grille. The vehicle's personality shifted with color and trim, with body-colored vertical strakes that blended better in darker shades. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks and amber accent lights. The side profile featured angular fender sculpting and black plastic tabs, while the rear resembled a Range Rover with rounded corners and vertical taillights. Inside, the Telluride Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered a simple dashboard layout with a two-tone palette, reminiscent of Volvo's luxury. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, were firm but comfortable, and the interior materials were of high quality. The infotainment system had some usability issues, but the 14-speaker Meridian audio system delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2025 Acura RDX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which could direct up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel. The Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) offered Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with adaptive-damping suspension on higher trims. The RDX's performance was lively, but fuel economy was a concern, averaging 19.3 mpg in real-world driving. Despite feeling a bit dated initially, the RDX's driving dynamics were enjoyable, with responsive steering and effective brakes. However, it lacked the thrill of a true performance model, and an Individual mode for IDS would have been a welcome addition.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors, producing 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. It used a six-speed transmission and was available in the X-Line trim, but not the off-road-capable X-Pro trims. The Hybrid offered a quiet and smooth ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. The X-Pro Prestige trim excelled off-road, while the Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride due to its 20-inch wheels. The Telluride's ride comfort was impressive, with minimal wind noise at highway speeds. On winding roads, it was composed and controllable, though not particularly sporty. The brake pedal required some adjustment, but overall, the Telluride instilled confidence in its handling.

The 2025 Acura RDX's A-Spec Advance trim featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, along with a heated steering wheel and rear seats. The front seats were comfortable, though drivers with longer legs might have wished for more padding on the center console. Rear seat comfort was less satisfactory due to a flat cushion and excessive recline angle. The RDX offered 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It also had three underfloor storage compartments and a deep well for securing loose items. The interior layout was practical, though the TTI infotainment system's touchpad compromised the center console design.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rear seats were better suited for smaller passengers. The second row featured power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation, offering comfort comparable to business-class airline seats. The middle-row seats had significant travel, allowing for more cargo or legroom as needed. The Telluride could hold up to 22.3 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row, expandable to 89.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Hybrid models lost only about one cubic foot of cargo space. The Telluride also offered a large center bin, deployable cupholders, and additional storage options throughout the cabin.

The 2025 Acura RDX featured a 10.2-inch display for infotainment and vehicle settings, controlled by the TTI touchpad on the center console. While the system offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa Built-in, the touchpad was challenging to use on bumpy roads. The RDX also had a stereo volume knob, radio tuning buttons, and separate climate controls. The infotainment system included SiriusXM satellite radio, AcuraLink connected services, and a premium sound system with 16 speakers in higher trims.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch climate control screen. The system included native navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. While the infotainment system was user-friendly, it had some response delays and required firm taps. The climate control screen was difficult to use while driving, but physical temperature control buttons were available. The Telluride offered customizable themes for the infotainment screen and a 14-speaker Meridian audio system in higher trims.

The 2025 Acura RDX came with the AcuraWatch safety package, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered low-speed braking and a surround-view camera system. The RDX earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. However, the lane-assist systems were often irritating, and the adaptive cruise control struggled to maintain a smooth following distance.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid included standard safety features like frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims offered a surround-view camera system, blind-spot cameras, and automatic reverse braking. The Telluride's driver attention monitor had some operational issues, and the blind-spot cameras were more distracting than helpful. However, the highway driving assist was effective on longer trips, maintaining lane centering and smooth speed changes.